What makes The Humble Co. toothbrush unique?

Every year, the world consumes more than 3.6 billion plastic toothbrushes, with the average person using 300 in their lifetime. Roughly 80% of these end up in the ocean, posing a huge risk to marine life and habitats.

The Humble Co. Toothbrushes

Inspired to reduce some of this global waste, The Humble Co. has created a sustainable bamboo toothbrush that helps to minimise the long-lasting effects of plastic waste on our environment. The company’s strong moral values encouraged and influenced the production of this functional yet environmentally friendly product which also comes hand in hand with social responsibility and awareness. The Humble Co. formed The Humble Smile Foundation where they have pulled together dedicated dental professionals and academics from around the world to help to develop not only innovative and eco-friendly oral care products, but also to work directly with underprivileged children in remote communities, helping to promote oral hygiene and education. Each humble purchase goes towards donating and helping to fund this project for the benefit of these children whilst simultaneously minimising the impact of plastic waste on the environment.

The Humble Co. toothbrush vs a plastic toothbrush

Plastic toothbrushes first appeared in the 1930s, yet, almost a century later, toothbrushes are still being made the same way - with polypropylene and nylon plastics, which come from burning fossil fuels. Each plastic toothbrush takes around 500 years to decompose, consequently meaning that most of these old plastic toothbrushes are likely to still exist in the world today! It is no secret that this indestructible property of plastic has led to its disposal imposing an immeasurable issue for the planet, but what we may have previously failed to realise is that the toothbrush is a source of a lot of this damage. Due to this, an alternative to plastic toothbrushes must be found and this is where the bamboo toothbrush comes in.

With the help of dental specialists, the Humble Co. bamboo toothbrush was developed with an understanding of the scientific and medical aspects required to create a safe and effective toothbrush. It has been widely supported by the dental community and recognised as a top-class product both in from a medical and environmental perspective, successfully selling over 35 million pieces worldwide since it launched. The decision to use sustainable bamboo has been widely praised due to its unique and beneficial properties and has even inspired many to make the switch to a bamboo toothbrush.

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on the planet, in some cases growing over 1m in one day! This, alongside its natural antibacterial quality, make it an ideal renewable material as no harmful chemicals are required during its cultivation, allowing for quick and efficient large-scale manufacturing leading to a sustainable and affordable supply. This differs immensely from the burning of fossil fuels and the release of toxic nitrogen oxides demanded by plastic toothbrushes which in return pollute the atmosphere and contribute to the formation of acid rain.

Additionally, another benefit of using bamboo is that it allows for the toothbrush to be suitable for vegans. Unlike some plastic toothbrushes which are traditionally coated with a non-vegan protective layer, the Humble brush is 100% cruelty-free and is certified by The Vegan Society, PETA and NATRUE.

The design & functionality

The Humble Co. brush has proven to be extremely popular due to its simplistic Scandinavian design which effectively combines minimalism with functionality, guiding it to fulfil the title of the world’s most sold bamboo toothbrush.

The toothbrush itself embraces a unique bamboo handle made from 100% biodegradable and sustainably grown bamboo making it a great compromise between sustainability and dental health. Along with its aesthetically pleasing looks, the handle itself is armed with antibacterial qualities and durability, thanks to the natural tensile strength of bamboo. This makes the handle long-lasting and sturdy, resulting in a perfectly reliable toothbrush for everyday use. Combined with its nylon-6 bristles, this brush is only functionally comparable to a plastic toothbrush but when it comes to its resources and practicality, it exceeds any plastic toothbrush with its enhanced user experience and satisfaction. 

The brush is also offered in a wide range of options such as colour and size, carefully engineering it to fit perfectly in the hand, making it truly adaptable to every individual. These include, but are not limited to, the ability to choose from an adult or child size brush to choosing the firmness of the bristles from soft to medium, all of which attain their own advantages. The soft bristles allow gentle but thorough cleaning of the teeth and gums by brushing areas that would usually be hard to reach, without causing sore or bleeding gums. The medium-sized bristles are also just as effective at removing food debris in between the teeth and offer great plaque removal. This widely differs and defeats the one size fits all approach implemented by some plastic toothbrushes and issues a beautifully designed, elegant toothbrush that can be carried with pride.

As previously explored, the Humble toothbrush evidently extends this efficient and simplistic design way beyond the product itself and into its environmentally conscious manufacturing, distribution, and aftercare, making it a truly special product.

The Disposal

The Humble Co. brush is wrapped sophisticatedly in a compostable packet and placed into a slim cardboard box, keeping it fresh and sterile, ready to be used. The packaging itself is 100% recyclable and can simply be disposed of in household recycling and food waste bins. This differs dramatically from the bulky look of the average plastic toothbrush and its packaging, which is often difficult to open and not entirely recyclable.

The toothbrush itself is also majorly recyclable, with its bamboo handle having the potential to biodegrade in as quickly as 6 months, even in household compost waste. This quality alone makes the bamboo toothbrush extremely sustainable and safe for the environment, consequently, eliminating plastic toothbrush waste successfully.

So, What Can You Do?

By simply making the switch to The Humble Co. bamboo toothbrush, you will not only have the potential to save 300 plastic toothbrushes from ending up in the ocean or in a landfill but will certainly feel the satisfaction of knowing you have helped to put a smile back on the face of underprivileged children. You alone will be making a drastic difference in the minimisation of plastic waste which will in return have a huge impact on the future of our planet.

Be Humble. Help Put An End To Plastic Waste.